The Vancouver Canucks aim to eliminate the Minesota Wild from their best-of-five Western Conference qualification round series Friday at 10:45 p.m. ET at Rogers Place in Edmonton. We analyze the Canucks-Wild betting odds and lines, with NHL picks and best bets.
Series: Canucks lead 2-1.
Canucks vs. Wild: Projected starting goalies
Jacob Markstrom vs. Alex Stalock
Markstrom has been strong in his first trip to the postseason. He stopped 60 of 65 shots while going 1-1 in the first two games before making 27 saves in a shutout win over the Wild Thursday. His .946 postseason save percentage is even better than his .918 mark from the regular season.
Stalock has regressed as the series has gone on following his 28-save shutout in the opener. He allowed three goals on 29 shots in Thursday’s 3-0 loss. He hasn’t lost three straight starts since losing four in a row from Dec. 17 through Jan. 9, and one of those was in a shootout.
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Canucks vs. Wild: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 5:50 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Canucks 4, Wild 2
Moneyline (ML)
Take the value with the CANUCKS (+100) as even-money underdogs as they enter Game 4 looking to advance to Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Wild (-118) are the official home team at the neutral site, but there will be no fan motivation to help fight off elimination.
The Canucks received their first goal from C Elias Pettersson late in Game 3. He’s the best offensive player in this series and he’ll look to continue to heat up as the Canucks advance.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
Double down on the CANUCKS -1.5 (+260) on the alternate line to win by at least 2 goals. I expect them to lead for much of the game and doing so could force the Wild to pull their goalie early in search of an equalizer.
Two-plus minutes with an empty net at the other end would give Vancouver the opportunity for that multi-goal win if it’s unable to secure it otherwise.
Over/Under (O/U)
Take the OVER 5.5 (+115) as the more profitable side of the line. Outside of the 3-0 shutout victory for both teams in this series, Game 2 resulted in a 4-3 win for the Canucks. Neither side should be getting blanked in the pivotal Game 4.
Esten’s NHL betting record: 12-12
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